Adjustable bed cover support



July 29, 1947. J. A. voss 2,424,907 V ADJUSTABLE BED COVER SUPPORT FiledJuly 15, ,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

V JOSEPH AVOSS.

July 29, 1947; J. A. voss 2,424,907

ADJUSTABLE BED COVER SUPPORT Filed July 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. voss.

. 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 29, 1947 "OFFICE This invention relates to a bed cover andmore particularly to -a portable, rigid,. and adjustable frame memberfor E positioning .a'djacent a bed in operative relation to-its coversto define a patient receiving conditioning chamber,

although it may be employedwith equaladva n itages for other purpose vIt contemplates more especially afportable, adjustable, and compactdevice'whic'h is capable of association with a bed for defining anaerated patient-receiving chamber in conjunction .with the bed covers tomore effectively treat andmore speedily heal surface aillictions suchasburns, wounds, surgical incisions, skin diseases surface ulcers due totoxic or other'internal disturbances, and provide greater comfort bysupportlngi. the bed clothes outof contact with a person sup;-

ported in a lying position on a bed or the like.

Numerous types of devices intended for flthe treatment of patientsconfined tofbed without any bed clothes in direct contact'w'ith-rthebody,

have heretofore been proposed. These devices have not proven entirelysatisfactoryrromtiie standpoint that they are cumbersome, .enta'ill'j.great deal of workon'the part of the attendants,- do not provide foraconvenient bed'clothes change nor accessibilityftol'thejpatient to'takecare of their normal'routine needs; hes'known devices are otherwiseunsatisfactory fro IIIthe consideration that hospital att nda tsare,over'- taxed in their routine so thathospital'andcon valescingappliances of all kinds cannot be, adf vantageously used unless'utili'z'ablewith time and labor requirements by"a" sin'g'le nurse orthose who'extendcare to patients; 1

With the teachings of the present 'inventio'nfa portableself-sustaining, readily jmovable'fand highly effective bed coversupport. has been provided which maybe easily shifted for positioningadjacent a bed and relative tothe bd clotlies thereon to define apatient-receiving :':inipar t,- ment which is readily formed anddismantled for easy-patient access, depending upon therequiree ments ofand providing for the'regula'rfpatient routine without entailing anyappreciable" time, inconvenience, or efiort on thepart' of meat;tendant. j

The flexibility of its adaptation is highly advantageous for thepurposes set forth in'thetreat ment, convalescing, and attendance ofbedcone fined patients without any of the disadvantages incident toknown devices intended fora similar purpose and requiring more thano'neattendant to manipulate. The ready formation'of alpa tient-receiving bedchamber and its" eile'ctivedisic aim's. (01. 5-319) placement as well asreformation, affords the full advantages thereof without impairingaccess to the patient to meet routine attending requirements. Then,too,-the extraordinary compactness thereof as well as its collapsibilityduring inoperation, are highly advantageous in order' that the devicemay be instantly available without requiring any appreciable space oroffering storage problems while not in use.

These features coupled with self-contained accessories-desirable tocondition and maintain the patient receiVing bed chamber under propercontrol for the exposure of the patients body thereto, provides a highlydesirable unit that assists in the care, comfort and more speedyrecovery bf patients. -The structural features and their ease ofoperation, enables a single attendant or for that matter the patient toutilize the teachingsof the present invention without entailing anyappreciable time, effort or inconvenience along with the other customaryduties and services required to'be renderedin the care of affiictedindividuals.

On'e object of the present invention is to simplify the construction'andto improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to providea self-contained bedclothes support that iscompact, easily adjus'table for adaptationftoa bed in the formation of apatient-receiving chamber, and readily portable for removal to enableaccess to the patient tofurnish routine daily requirements.

Still another object is to provide a bed clothes support that isadjustably connected .to a stand rno'vablyv supported forreadyassociation and removal relative .to a bed tov provide aconditioning chamber in conjunction with the bed clothes. 7

A further object is to provide an arcuate bed clothes support inadjustable association with a portable stand serving as a mount thereforto a bed to define a patient-receiving compartment.

' nifurther object is to provide an arcuate frame to; support thebedclothes relative to the mattressso that it can be readily associated andremoved to provide a conditioning chamber without obstructing possibleaccess to. the patient or requiring. any involved adjustment thereof forthatpurpose; n V V A' still further object is to provide acompact,portable standard having an arcuate bed clothes support memberoperatively connected therewith for! difierentpositions offadjustment todefine a patient]receiving conditioning chamber that isreadilylremovable for; access to the patient without substantiallydisturbing the bed clothes which are available for ready compartmentreformation after the attendant has fulfilled routine care requirements.

Still a further object is to provide conditioning instrumentalities inconjunction with a patient 5 afiording ready access for routinerequirements. 10 e Other objects and advantages will appear from anillustrated embodiment of the present inverttion.

In the drawings:

vice embodying features of the present invention illustrated inassociation with a bed mattress to clarify the showing.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view taken along line II-lI of Figure 1. pFigure 3 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along lineIIII[I of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along lineIV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic electric wiring diagram of the bed chamberconditioning instrumentalities comprising part of the assembled uni-tshown in fig 1 Figure 6 is a front view-oi a switch panel viewedsubstantially from lines VI--VI of Figure 1."

Figure '7 is a plan view'of the bed clbthes'sufiporting frame whichdefines apatientreceiving bed compartment. Figure 8 is a largefragmentary plan view of an outer rib expansible portion of the arcuateframe shown in Figure 7, parts thereof being shown in section to clarifythe showing. Figure 9 is a sectional view of the ventilator motor andmount taken substantially along line IXIX of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along lineX-X of Figure'fl.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front view of a'pi'votal connection betweenthe bed clothes support- 4 ing frame and the standard. c Figure 12 is anend view on the pivotal connection shown in Figure 11. v 1' Figure 13isa fragmentary sectional view; of the sh'ank portion of thearcuateframe taken sub- 5 stantially along line XIII-XIII of Figure 7.'

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the frame shank and switchhousing taken substantially along line XIV-XEV of Figure 1; c

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as alimitation upon the scope or'teachings of the invention, but'is merelyTilliistrative thereof. There may be considerable variations andadaptations of all or past of the teachings depending upon the dictatesottommercial practice. 7 1

The present embodiment comprises ajbase 10, in this instance havingangularly disposed tripod forming arms ll, 12, and I3, which are formedintegral with each other at their point of intersection to comprise apart of a linear stabilizing arm 14 disposed normal to the arm l2.Asshown, the linear stabilizing arm I4 is formed integral with the arm12 at its freeextremity tddivide the arm I 4 to extend the same distanceo'nboth' sides of the tripod arm, [2.

In order :to render the base It .withitsstabilizing arm [4 readilymovable along a supporting surface such as a floor and to enable it toeffectively serve as a support for instrumentalities-to be hereinafterdescribedroller casters-l-5'are'piv-' 25 creased 1"lateral supporttherefor.

otally connected to the extremities l6 of the tripod arms HI3 and thestabilizing arm l4.

To this end, the base It has an upstanding tubular boss l'l formedintegral therewith at the juncture of the tripod arm 12 with the linearstabilizing arm l4 to provide a vertical bearing having tubular standardl8 which is telescopically received in the tubular boss H. The elongatedtubular standard 18 is held in the tubular upstandiiig iaoss I] by meansof a suitable fastening expedient such as a threaded stud l9 which has aknurled enlarged head 20 to afford convenient finger manipulation of thestud 19 so that 7 the tubular standard I8 may be readily removed Figure1 is a side view in elevation of a de- 15 or attached depending upon therequirements of any particular situation.

' .i Azsolid elongated rod H of somewhat smaller diameter than theinterior bore of the tubular standard I8 is telescopically associatedtherewith, for vertical extensive adjustment relative thereto for suport therein. To this end, the upper peripheraledgeir-of the tubularstandard K8 is flanged-to-previde a'reinforced orifice for the receptionof the solid rod 2i and to afford in- I So that the solid'rod zi-may' bemaintained at any desired vertical position of displacement relative tothe tubular standard 18, a threaded stud '23 is disposed'transverselygthroug'h' the tubular standard l8' approximate to theupper flanged orifice 22 thereofrso' thatengagement can be eflected withtheelohgated rod 2i to efiect its support in any 'posi tionbf telescopicdisplacement relative to the tubular standard 18 within the limits oftheir respective lengths.

'rsothatthe'threaded stud 23 maybe readily manipulated'anenlargedknurled head 24 is providedonthefithreaded stud 23 so that itmaybe rotated in'one direction or the other to accom- "its intendedpurpose. It should be noted thatthethreaded stud [9 (Figures '3 and 4)registerswith'an annular groove 25 provided in the lgottojni' solidportion 26 of the tubular standard 1'8*so: 'tha t the latter may berotated at any desiredpositionrelative to the base l0 withoutperinittirrg its removal from the tubular boss l1.

"fiheisolidzelongated rod 2] terminates upwardly in".anjenlarged"shoulder2T which 'is joined to a bearingjend 2.8101 anoffsetarm .29. The offset armfiilis :cast or otherwise shaped frommaterialtofprovide a lateral reinforcing rib .30 that terminatesin acircular plate -3l. The circular plate'fiil' is adapted to confront acorrespondingly shaped" plate 32 which is formed integral with anengularly disposed shank 33. The shank 33 terminatesinan arcuate bracket.34 which overhangs'jthe'basje .lllafor .an appreciable distance so ththeshankEB withits integral connecting bra "t3'4ivvill extend.for adistance commensurateftvith'the" width or .a hospital bed. It should benoted that the overhanging bracket has a substantially l-shaped crosssection (Figure 14.) tojpi'ovide rigidity, supporting capacity, andlatciallchaniiels .3 5.35 for the reception of wires 31;:18,respectively, utilized to provide electric energy to instrumentalitiessupported by the bracket .34. as will appear .more fully hereinafter.'.[n.torder,to;pivctally support .the bracket .34 relative to. the.offset \arm 29, the confronting cirlate's-?.3l.;32. are provided withaligned -Dil tlireswhich receive a threaded bolt .39 therethrougn; "Thebolt 39 has a threaded nut lll en'gagingi'the free extremity thereof ,onthe offset side'to retain the plates 3l3;2 in confronting-contactdorrotation relative to each 5 other. 'In order to limit the pivotaldisplacement of the bracket 34 relative to the offset arm'29 to assumedifferent positions of adjustment for op erative and inoperativepositioning, depending upon the requirements of any particular situaetion, the stationary circular plate 3| is provided with an arcuate slot4| extending therethrough to receive a stud 42 which is reciprocallymounted in an aperture 43 provided in the circular plate 32.

The stud 42 terminates in an enlarged knurled head 44 beyond an ear 45having an aperture 46 in alinement with the aperture 43 to reciprocallysupport the stud 42 therethrough.

A spring 46' envelops the stud 42 between the the ear 45 and a pin 41extending transversely through the stud 42 to serve as a stop for thespring 46. This serves to normally urge the stud 42 into the arcuateslot 4| so that normally the bracket 34 will be displaceable about thebolt 39 serving'as a pivotal mount within the limits of the slot 42.

One extreme position of the stud 42 within the slot 4| coincident withthe engagement of the stud 42 with the extreme counter-clockwiseextremities thereof (viewed from Figure 1) will bring the bracket 34 toits operative overhanging position relative to a bed mattress 48supported by its spring frame 49, while the engagement of the stud 42with the opposite extreme end of the slot 4| will place the bracket 34in an operative inclined position (Figure 11) away from the bed mattress48 to afford access thereto.

To lower the bracket 34 to its extreme counterclockwise position (shownin dotted outline in Figure 1) so that its free extremity 50 veryclosely approaches the base Hi to minimize the space requirementsthereof for storage during nonusage, the attendant withdraws the stud 42against the urge of the spring 46 by grasp-ingthe knurled head 44 andremoving the stud 42 from the arcuate slot 4| to permit the circularplate 32 of the bracket 34 to rotate relative to the plate 3| and permitthe bracket 34 to be displaced downwardly for support by the base: I6(dotted outline position, Figure 1). In this position, the entire unitoccupies very little space andcan be moved into a closet or unoccupiedcorner of a room.

The arcuate bracket 34 has confronting curved hooks 5| and 52 formedintegral therewith at the extreme ends thereof to receive the tubularrods 53-54 of a flexible bed clothes supporting frame or flexiblesurface member 55. To this end, the curved hook 5| is formed integralwith the brack et 34 at its point of juncture with the shank 33 (Figure1), while the curved confronting hook 52 is formed integral with thebracket 34. The tubular frame rods 53-54 are normally separated for adistance somewhat greater than the spread between the confronting hooks5l-52, and .this is accomplished by means of a plurality of clamps 56-51provided along each of the tubular rods 53-54 (Figure '1). In thisinstance, each of the tubular rods 53-54 have four uniformly spaced andpermanently anchored clamps 56-51, respectively, and two movableassociated clamps 58-59 and 69-6l that slide on the rods 53-54;,respectively.

The clamps 55-51, 58-69, and 59-6l receive a plurality of flexible wires62, in this instance three, projecting between each pair of theconfronting clamps 56-51, 58-69 and 59-61 for permanentattachmenttherebetween to, collectively define an open flexible surfacemember ,or framework for the support of bed clothes. ,It

should be noted that the clamps 58-64 and Bil-6| are adjustablyconnected to the adjacent permanently attached clamps 56-51 andapproximate to the ends of the rod 53-54 by means of wire links 63-64pivotally connected about their looped extremities 65 by means of aflanged stud 66. The other looped extremities 61-68 of the links 63-64respectively, are pivotally connected to flanged studs 69-19 anchored tothe permanently attached and movable clamps 56-51, 58-66, and 59-6I sothat the movable clamps can be displaced relative to the tubular rods53- 54 to receive somewhat smaller rod extensions 1 |-12 telescoped inboth ends of the tubular rods 53-54, respectively.

The movable clamps 58-59 and 69-6| are fixed to the extremities of thetelescopic rods 1|-12 to permit the expansive displacement of the endclamps 58-69 and 59-6l to correspondingly displace the plurality offlexible wires 62 mounted therebetween to define an open surface memberfor the support of bed clothes thereon. This affords the expansiveadjustment of the bed. clothes supporting frame 55 to extend over thethorax alone or therebeyond to include the legs of the patient,depending upon the aflliction or the treatment as well as the extentthereof. The bracket 34, frame 55, and wires 62 constitute a bed clothessupporting framework.

In applying the flexible surface member or frame 55 over a bed, the rodstandard 2| is first adjusted to the desired height so that the loweredge of the offset bracket web 29 will be in line with the top'of themattress 48 (Figure 1), and thereupon, the base I0 is displacedunderneath the bed transversely of its length so that the bracket 34with its bed clothes supporting frame 55 will overlie the mattress width48. The bed clothes are supported above the patient by the frame 55 thatis sprung to assume an even greater arcuate configuration. Then thebracket 34 by virtue of the removable association of the frame 55between the confronting hooks 5|-52, the flexible frame 55 being sprunginto position therebetween, so that the bed clothes will overhang thestandards |8-2I along that particular side of the bed mattress 48.

So that the bed clothes will be held against the edge 13 of the mattress48 to avoid the admittance of air therebetween, an arcuate fork 14 ofsubstantially U-shaped configuration braces the enlarged shoulder 21 ofthe extensive rod 2| to clamp the bed clothes therebetween.

The fork 14 constitute an offset extermity of a vertical arm 15 that ispivoted at its lower extremity 16 to a clamp 11 that is anchored aroundthe tubular standard I8 approximate to the vertical boss |1 comprisingpart of the base l9. A spring 18 is anchored as at 19 to the clamp 11while its other extermity 80 is anchored to the vertical arm 15 tonormally urge the latter in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed fromFigure 1) to maintain a bed clothes clamp about the shoulder 21 of thevertical standard extension 2|, thereby precluding an upward movement ofair into the patient receiving chamber device above the mattress 48 bythe flexible frame 55 and its support 34. Then, too, the fork 14 servesto anchor the bed clothes so that they will be maintained in theirdesired position without sli Ding off to the floor.

So that the flexible frame that is sprung between the bracket hooks5l-52 will not .be accidentally removed or displaced, a retaining hingeBI is attached to the bracket 34 approximate to the hookl so that theangularly shaped movablehinge plate 82 (Figure 13) can be displaceddownwardly in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 13) toengage-the frame rod 53 against the hook 5I and preclude itsremovaltherefrom. To'remove the flexible frame 55, the hinge plate 82 ispivotally displaced in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure13) and the frame is sprung inwardly to narrow the spread thereofsufficiently to clear the hooks 5I'52 and permit its withdrawal'toassume a straight plane contour by virtue of the flexible rods 62 thatnormally assume their linear shape.

The conditioninginstrumentalities that preferably though not essentiallyare associated with the bracket 34 beneath the clothes supporting andchamber defining frame 55, may comprise opposing electric sockets 83supported by a clamp 84 that has flanges 85- affording the attachmentthereto to the under surface of the frame 34 (Fi ure through themediumof suitable fasteners such as machine screws 85. The opposingsockets 83 are disposed transversely of the frame 34 to receive suitableconditioning or therapeutic bulbs depending upon the dictates of medicalrequirements. In the present embodiment, the opposing sockets 83 receiveelongated light bulbs 81-88 which are screwed therein in the customarymanner to emanate light rays .of ordinary intensity for exposure of thepatients.skin thereto.

Artificial light from electric bulbs is'known to possess beneficialeffects uponthe skin whichef fectively serve to dry afllicted areas andotherwise have 'a desirable general therapeutic reaction. Wire screenguards 8990 are somewhat larger than and shaped to conform with thebulbs 8'I-88 for threaded engagement as at SI with the opposing sockets83 to completely envelop the bulbs 8-'I88 as a, protection againstcontact therewith. The screen guards 89-90 are of tubular construe tionand are properly reinforced by rigid end enclosures 9| and circularinteriorly threaded and channeled rings 92 defining an open orificetherefor for the reception of the bulbs 87-'8 8 therethrough. k

The opposing sockets 83 are suitably. connected to insulated tripleleads 93 which project through the clamp 84 and extendalong thelateralchannels 3536 of the bracket 34 for connection to the leads 3'I38 (seeFigure 5) extending therealong (Figure 14). i

Another important conditioning instrumental ity comprises, in thisinstance, a minute electric fan 94 (Figure 9) that is powered by anelectric motor 95 having its armature shaft 96 .infloperae tiveconnection with the fan 94. The motor 95 is of a Very small frictionalhorsepower capacity and is resiliently suspended .by springs 9I-98anchored to the motor 95 by. the lower ends and at tached to dependingstuds 99I00 which project through resilient shock absorberssuch'asrubber discs IOI to effectively support the motor 95 against vibrationrelative to a bracketpl'ate I02. The bracket plate I02 has an upstandingshank I93 of substantially I-shaped cross section to afford itsattachment underside of the bracket 34 laterally of and approximate tothe electric light socket :clamp 84. It should be noted that .the motor95 is so mounted as to position the fan 94 thereabove to create a veryslight movement of air downwardly and laterally to effect a, very minutecirculation of air under the covers supported .by the resilient frame-55. This: provides a very compact and noiseless motor 95 to operate .ofthe patient.

the fan 94 so that the gases and odors known to result from bodyafiiictions may never become stagnant and surface wounds will always beexposed to fresh air without chilling or subjecting the patient toundesirable drafts.

So that there will be no possible physical contact with the fan 94 andits motor 95, a cylindrical wire mesh receptacle guard I04 is shaped toprovide a reinforcing circular band I05 at its open end which isccmplemental to the bracket plate I02 for attachment thereto by means ofany suitable fastener such as machine screws I06. This enables theconvenient removal of the guard I04 for cleaning, repair, andreplacement should the occasion arise for access to the fan 94 and itsmotor 95. Suitable links I0'I-I08 (Figure 5) connect the motor 95 to thepower leads 31-48 that extend outwardly (Figure 1) from a switch housingI09. The switch housing I09 is of substantially'U-shaped configurationto serve as a complement of the I-shaped bracket 34 for frictionaldisplacement thereover to enclose all of the leads extending along theside channels thereof (Figure 14).

It should be noted that the lead I08 that extends from one terminal ofthe motor 95, is connected in series with a rheostat or electricresistance I I0 to substantially reduce the speed of the fan 94 so thatthe amount of aeration will be of an exceedingly minute character toavoid undesirable exposure of the patient, and yet sufiiciently to keepthe-surface of the patients body exposed to fresh air for feedingpurposes and to expel all odors as well as undesirable gases when thefan 94 is in operation.

The switch housing I09 carries a switch plate III (Figure 6) which hasthree switches H2 H3 and H4 mounted thereon in conjunction with aservice plug H5. The switches II2I I3I I4 control, in this instance, theelectric bulbs 81-88 and the-electric motor 95, respectively (Figure 5).The electric service plug H5 is connected across lines 3'I-38 to providea convenient electric outlet for auxiliary apparatus that may beutilized in the treatment of the patient. With this arrangement, eitheror both lights 9'I88 may be placed in operation independent of or inconjunction with the motor 95, depending upon the dictates of theattendant and the requirement As shown, another cylindrical receptacleguard I I6 having a reinforced circular band, I I! at its upper end, isshaped to conform in size and appearance with the motor guard I04 forconnection to a bracket similar in construction to the one described inconnection with the guard I04 so that the wire mesh receptacle H6 may besuspended from the frame bracket 34 approximate to the bulbs 8'i-88 onthe side opposite to the motor guard I04 to present a symmetricalarrangement of instrumentalities.

The wire mesh receptacle IIG may be utilized for any purpose such as toconfine a deodorant, germicide or antiseptic, depending upon the needsof any particular situation. The wire mesh receptacle' H6 is attached toits bracket by means of threaded fasteners II8 extending through thereinforced mount, ring II! in much the same manner as the fasteners I06serving to support the motor guard I04 to render both detachable. Athermometer I I9 is supported by end brackets I20'-I2I that are suitablyattached to the frame bracket 34 to provide an indication of thetemperature within the patient receiving chamber defined by th'e bedclothes supported by the frame 55. This will determine the desirabilityof utilizing the lights 81-88 that have some influence on thetemperature to which the patients body is subjected.

It should be noted that the bed clothes are held on the resilient frame55 which defines the contour thereof for overhanging engagement with thestandards l82l. The substantially U- shaped clamp 14 securely holds thebed clothes against the shoulder 27 of the telescopic rod 2| to precludeslipping of the bed clothes downwardly. Then, too, the retention of thebed clothes on the frame 55 enables the latter to be pivotally shiftedto its upward position for access to the patient lying on the mattress48 without appreciably disturbing the bed clothes. Upon giving thepatient the desired service or care demanded by the occasion, the frame55 with its bracket 38 can then be returned to its operative position(solid line outlined in Figure 1) without requiring the bed clothes tobe rearranged as they are returned to their initial operative positionwithout distortion or accidental displacement.

With the arrangement of parts above described, it will be apparent, thatthe bed clothes supporting frame 55 can be easily removed for cleansing,sterilization, and dismantling purposes. Additionally, the telescopicstandards l8-2l are readily removable from the base 10, and the framebracket 34 detached from the offset arm 29 which is a part of the uppertelescopic rod 2|. These parts can be conveniently packed for long timestorage or shipment from the factory.

Additionally, it should be observed that the teachings of the presentinvention primarily contemplates a bed support that is independent ofthe bed and mattress. Consequently, the patient can leave the bedwithout assistance to take care of personal needs and afford freedom topatients who are not helpless. This can be accomplished withoutmaterially disturbing the bed clothes or the apparatus that serves asthe support therefor. Then, too, the patient is relieved of theconsciousness of disturbing the bed with every slight movement which apatient is bound to make in abundance because of the necessary relaxingof muscles and change of posture. With devices of known construction,the mattress served as a support for the chamber defininginstrumentalities so that the patient not only was actually restrictedin freedom of movement, but was kept consciously aware of the necessityto avoid movement. Even slight movement of the patient on the mattresswould cause the directly supported patient defining chamber to movetherewith and create a possible undesirable physical change in positionas well as mentally affect the composure of the patient confinedtherein.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, it must be understood that the invention is capable ofconsiderable variation and modification without departing from thespirit of the invention. I,

tress, and an extension on said surface member to vary the bed clothessupporting surface thereof and the size of the patient receiving chamberdefined therewith.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with astandard for extending upwardly above a bed mattress, of a rigid openframework extending from said standard to overhang a bed mattress inspaced confronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothes todefine a patient receiving chamber with said bed mattress, saidframework comprising a rigid supporting arm pivoted to said standard,and a flexible surface member on said rigid supporting arm, saidflexible surface member being sprung into predetermined shape on andconforming to the shape of said rigid arm for retention thereon tosupport the bed clothes above the mattress.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination withastandard for extending above a bed mattress, of a rigid open frameworkivotally connected to said standard to overhang a bed mattress in spacedconfronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothes to define apatient receiving chamber with said bed mattress, said frameworkcomprising a rigid supporting pivoted arm and a flexible frame prungfrom its normal expanse into predetermined shape for retention on saidrigid arm, and end extensions on said flexible frame adjustablyconnected therewith to vary the bed clothes supporting expanse thereofand the size of the patient receiving chamber defined therewith.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with astandard extending upwardly above-a bed mattress, of a rigid openframework extending from said standard to overhang a bed mattress inspaced confronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothesthereover to define a patient receiving chamber with said bed mattress,and means for retaining the bed clothes against said standard andagainst the mattress edge adjacent thereto for minimizing theuncontrolled movement of air in said patient defining chamber.

JOSEPH A. VO'SS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 649,900 Brennan May 22, 19002,209,801 Valverde July 30, 194.0 1,416,297 Howe May 16, 1922 1,401,244Eastlund Dec. 27, 1921 800,779 Woodward Oct. 3, 1905 194,927 PetrieSept. 4, 1877 905,660 Cowdrey Dec. 1, 1908 718,370 Mugfur Jan. 13, 1903FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 168,569 Switzerland July 2, 193472,843 Germany Jan. 9, 1894 988 England Mar. 6, 1880 439,315 GermanyJan. 8, 1927 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Catalogue of I. E. Palmer00., Middletown, Conn., 1908, pages 18 and. 19. (Copy in Div. 8, U. S.Patent Oflice.)

